Ethics & Oversight

Page Image

Before any PHSA-affiliated health research project can begin, it must undergo a number of review processes. This ensures that all our research meets meets rigorous standards for ethics, accountability and operational compliance.

Page Content

Any clinical or behavioural study that involves human participants requires ethics review and approval to ensure that the research meets federal ethical requirements and protects the welfare of study participants.

The review is conducted by a Research Ethics Board (REB), made up of an independent committee of experts who provide initial review and ongoing monitoring of the study. REBs are affiliated with the University of British Columbia and operate at a number of PHSA hospitals and agencies. Research studies conducted at a PHSA location or under PHSA oversight are reviewed by these REBs.

Depending on the type of research project being proposed, the study’s lead researcher may also be required to seek approval for other aspects of the study, such as safety compliance, data security and privacy.

PHSA has a clear conflict of interest declaration and management policy, which requires annual reporting by all researchers and research staff of any real or potential conflicts of interest within their work. Conflict of interest declarations are reviewed and evaluated at the agency level, with oversight by the PHSA Conflict of Interest Committee.